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Best Craft Beers In Minnesota For Your Fourth Of July Backyard BBQ

To drink beer on July 4 is to declare independence when it comes to choice beers. This year, plenty of beer is on tap and ready to be bottled. Over the past year, fresh breweries have been popping up like a baker's dozen. Undoubtedly, the new places will have many craft beers for the summer. But on July 4, as we celebrate our independence, we should also take note of some of the best summer beers from veteran craft breweries. These beer brewing establishments have beer and ale in growlers, bottles and cans. Their brands can also be found in many local shops that sell beer, wine and spirits.
10K brewing
(credit: Facebook/10K Brewing)

10K Brewing
2005 2nd Ave.
Anoka, MN 55303
763-392-4753
10kbrew.com

This sibling-owned craft brewery opened last November in Anoka. All beers are freshly brewed in small batches. Although subject to change, the brewery retains the most crowd-pleasing beers and ales. Two of the very popular on tap are two versions of sweet vanilla milk stout. The first sweet vanilla version (on NITRO) is nitrogen-infused. Not to worry: the nitrogen gas merely defuses beer bitterness. It should be a gas for a July Fourth barbecue and won't set off fireworks in the backyard. Vanilla figures favorably in 10K's beers. An upcoming new brew is sweet vanilla oatmeal stout. A darkly sweet mix of oatmeal and vanilla, this stout beer goes down smoothly with cold brew coffee. As you quaff, you should be aware that 10K Brewing is named after the North Star state's 10,000 lakes.

56 Brewing
3134 California St., N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55417
612-404-0056
56brewing.com

This Twin Cities craft brewery has a short beer selection. But each beer is a one-of-a-kind craft. If you had a chance to attend the St. Paul Summer Beer Fest, you would have had the opportunity to choose beer and ale for your own Fourth Of July barbecue fest. But some good choices would be the Honey Kolsch Northeast Nectar, the Polonaise APA American ale or the California Street IPA India pale ale. The India pale ale, brewed with El Dorado hops, complements grilled meats and any salty or richly spiced foods. The Polonaise APA, with grapefruit tones and citrus aroma, is ideal with grilled or baked fish, burgers and strong or sharp cheese. The Honey Kolsch pairs well with white or dark cheddar and lamb. Lamb patties on burger buns or lamb kabobs with touches of fresh or jellied mint would be unique barbecue treats.

Lupulin Brewing
(credit: Facebook/Lulupin Brewing)

Lupulin Brewing Co.
570 Humboldt Drive
Big Lake, MN 55309
763-263-9549
www.lupulinbrewing.com

This brewery is hop-forward and Belgian beer oriented in a big way. But the Imperial Raspberry Truffle, fomented from Chocolate Imperial Porter and aged raspberries, is the most interesting of the lot. The taste of raspberries fused with chocolate porter is indeed quite heady. For more of early or midsummer flavors, sip a Belgian Blonde, April Blonde or the bold English Malt Citra Red. Lupulin Brewing Co. has several product distributors in Minnesota.

Related: Best Craft Beer Shops In Minnesota

August Schell Brewing Co.
1860 Schell Road
New Ulm, MN 56073
507-354-5528
schellsbrewery.com

August Schell Brewing Co. has made German craft beers since 1860. Most of these beers can be enjoyed with no seasonal limitations. If you feel choosing a beer is a must, try the Bavarian wheat, which has overtones of summer fruit and undertones of clove and banana. Or sip a blonde dopple bock, which balances assertive sweetness with mild hop bitterness. Both beers are seasonal and have extended seasons. One extended seasonal beer is the grapefruit-flavored German Radler, which might be an ideal barbecue beverage.

Bad Habit Brewing
(credit: Facebook/Bad Habit Brewing)

Bad Habit Brewing Co.
15 E. Minnesota St.
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-402-4442
www.badhabitbeer.com

Dropping into this brewing company for a beer or brunch isn't exactly a bad habit. In fact, it may be a good idea. For your barbecue, you can choose between red and pale ale. Polar espresso and brunch stout are pretty good choices, too. Customers can peer from the taproom to see how beers and ales are made. Beer is available in growlers and on draft. The tavern brunch, when offered, is pretty stout.

Related: Best Craft Beer Bars In The Twin Cities

Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.
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